Not So Much

The Cat and the Ladybug

Right before my eyes opened, and right before I found out who the love of my life was, I passed out. I felt myself go limp in Chat's arms. "No..."  I said weakly, "Chat..." That was the last thing I said before the light from my eyes dispersed.

(Adrien's POV)

"M-Marinette?!" I exclaimed. Plagg hovered over Marinette's limp body, before he spied a red object. "TIKKI!" he yelled. The bug-like object turned, saw Plagg, and her face lit up. "PLAGG!" The flew towards each other like two racing bullets and collided in a massive hug. "How long has it been?" Tikki asked. "It felt like eons," Plagg confessed. They pulled apart, and Tikki saw the damage.

"Marinette!" she cried. She flew to her face, caressing it with her hands. I tapped a finger on her shoulder. She turned to me, her eyes welling with tears. "Are you the Ladybug kwami?" I asked. She sniffed and nodded weakly. "M-Marinette.." she sobbed. Plagg sat next to Tikki, and patted her on the back. "She's the most selfless, positive, and loving Ladybug that there ever was. And now she's hurt because of it. I-" she said no more as more tears filled her eyes. I looked on somberly.

"Marinette," I thought, "The kind, shy, talented, most beautiful girl I'd ever met. One of my only friends. She's...she's my Lady!" I picked her up carefully, bridal style, and whispered, "I'm glad it's you, Marinette. Let's get you patched up." I swear, I thought I saw her smile in her sleep. I held open my jacket, and Plagg helped Tikki into my inside pocket. Then, I ran to the nearest hospital.

***

(Marinette's POV) I woke up in a brightly lit room, in clothes that definitely weren't mine, and felt awful. Like my entire body was coming apart at the seams. I sat up, and recognized where I was. Paris Central Hospital. I had come here to visit Alya after she had her appendix removed. But, why was I here?I sat up-OUCH!-bad choice. I felt my stomach and under my fingers were bandages. My eyesight cleared enough to see that my whole torso was wrapped in bandages. "Honey?" I heard from off to the side. I turned my head in that direction to see my parents, all messy, as if they had been in the middle of baking before they came here.

"Momma? Papa?" I half-whispered (my throat hurt), "What's going on?" They both gasped with joy, and leapt onto my bed, smothering me with hugs. "Sweetheart, we were so worried!" Momma cried. I hugged them back. "I don't understand," I said. They pulled away from me. "You were badly injured in the last villain attack. Your friend Adrien found you and brought you to the hospital," Papa explained. My eyes widened in shock. "Is everyone alright?! Alya, Adrien, Nino, all my friends, no one was hurt, right?" I gasped. "Everyone got out safe, Marinette," I heard a voice from the doorway. 

I turned my head in that direction, and nearly jumped out of my bandages. "A-ADRIEN??!!?" I yelled. He smiled warmly, and entered the room. He took my hand, and stared into my eyes. "How are you feeling?" he asked, concern in his voice. My face must have looked like a kettle about to burst. "I-I-I'm feeling okay! Never better!" I tried to sit up, but pain struck my ribs again, and I winced violently. "No, no you don't. Your poor rib cage took a beating," Adrien said, "So, you just lie back and rest, kay?" The pain was so intense I couldn't talk, but nodded my response. I laid back down, clutching my torso. 

"Sweetie, your father and I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon, so we're going to slip out and grab a bite, seeing as this fine young man can see to you?" Adrien nodded. "It'd be an honor, m'am." They slipped out the door, but not before Mom slipped me a sly wink. My face only reddened. We sat in silence as the pain in my ribs subsided, and then I realized I was squeezing Adrien's hand. "I-I'm so sorry!" I tried to let go, but he grabbed it again. I gazed at him in shock. He wouldn't meet my eyes. "Sorry," he said, "I'm just a little shaken from yesterday's events." I settled a little. "Yeah, that akuma was pretty scary, huh?" I said, chuckling softly. "Yeah, that, but you know what was more scary? That I almost lost you," he said morosely. I gazed at him.

"Marinette, you're one of the closest friends I have. You're so talented, positive, forgiving...pretty," he added. I felt my heart skip a beat. "If something had happened to you, I don't know if I could live with myself," his gaze finally met mine. His emerald gaze was almost bewitching, and I felt my heart beats rise and fall rapidly. Suddenly, he smiled. "That's why I've come to ask you properly." He pulled a plastic case from beneath his chair. He opened it before me, and revealed a gorgeous red-and-black corsage. He lifted it carefully from it's container, and asked, "Marinette Dupain-Cheng, will you be my date for the Ladybug/Chat Noir Dance at school this Friday?" I felt so happy I thought I could cry. Actually, nope, nevermind, I was crying. I smiled brightly at him, and replied, "Of course I will, Adrien Agreste." He gave me a winning smile and placed the corsage on my wrist. Suddenly, a chorus of whoops and hollers came from the hallways. And the faces of my friends from school appeared in the windows of my hospital room. I covered my mouth in shock as they all came rushing in, bearing flowers and teddy bears and bright, beautiful smiles. Alya had her phone out and was recording the whole thing. She tackled me in a hug, shouting, "Don't ever get in danger when I'm not around, okay?!" I laughed, replying, "I promise." She added, "I'll send you the video later." 

I got at least a couple dozen hugs from all my classmates and a whole garden of flowers. Then very unexpectedly, Chloe walked though the door. The noise and bustle stopped, and everyone turned to her. "Don't stare at me freaks, I'm not an animal," she retorted. "Hi, Chloe," I said. She looked at me, and her gaze softened. She snapped her fingers and a tall butler brought in a large box, and placed it on the bed. "What's this?" I asked. She snapped her fingers again, and the butler opened the lid. We all leaned in. It was a rather large cake, probably because the message written on it was quite long. 

"Dear Marinette, 

I'm sorry the akuma I caused yesterday got you hurt. Please accept this apology cake that I baked myself. I hope this doesn't put us on bad terms. When I heard you got hurt, I felt like throwing up. But I cried instead. I'm sorry again.

Chloe." 

I looked up at Chloe, who was extremely red in the face. "I-I hope it doesn't taste bad. My mother once taught me to bake, and I remembered a little," she said, avoiding eye contact. I smiled. "Chloe, I think you and I will make very good friends," I said. Her burgundy face deepened in color as the room broke out in giggles. The cake was cut and dispersed between guests (I asked for the piece with Chloe's name on it), and I beckoned Chloe towards me. "I am truly sorry, you know," she half-murmured. "Oh, I never doubted that for a second. I'm really glad you're here, Chloe. I do consider you a friend. you can be testy at times, but you do have some good qualities." She smiled, more out of relief than happiness.

"You're not upset that I'm going to the dance with Adrien?" Her face reddened. Not from anger, but more from...nervousness? "I, uh. I've made other...arrangements," she said quietly. I was confused, but decided not to push her on the subject. 

I took a bite of my cake and enjoyed the company of my friends.